Apparatus for perforating sheet material



April 27, 1943.

G. F. WALES APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING SHEET MATERIAL Filed March 12, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l III M awooasv @N Q N ATTORNEYS April 21, 1943. G F WALES 2,317,424.

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING SHEET MATERIAL Filed March 12, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. vy$

BY m

' ATTORNEYS April 27, 1943. G. F. WALES 2 3 7,

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING SHEET MATERIAL Filed March 12, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 {data INVENTOR.

BY ATTORNEYS April 1943- G. F. WALES 2,317,424 v APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING SHEET MATERIAL Filed March 12, 1942; 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 8? I INVENTOR.

BY 0 24% WM. ATTORNEYS 7 upper part of Patented Apr. 27, 1943 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE 2,311,424. Arrsasrus FOR PERFORATING sneer MATERIAL George F. Wales, Kenmore, N. Y.

Application March-12, 1942, Serial No. 434,378

19 Claimi- (Cl. 184-94) This invention relates to a punching apparatus for perforating sheet material and more particularly to an apparatus of this character which The principal object of this invention is to I provide a self-contained punching assemblage which includes a frame having an opening or gap extending from its front sideto its rear side for the passage of a sheet or workpiece, a plurality of die sections adjustable lengthwise on the lower part of the frame, and a plurality of punch sections adjustable lengthwise 'on the the frame and having stripping means, said assemblage being movable into and out of an operative position between the bed and ram of any press and capable of being operated for perforating sheets or workpieces without requiring any connection between this punching assemblage and the ram and bed of the press. v

A further object is to provide a punching apparatus having a plurality of perforating units, each of which has a punching section which practically floats on the upper part of the punching frame relative to the companion die section fixed on the lower part of this frame and in which any of the punch sections can be lifted from the top of the punching frame as a complete setup for the purpose of'servicing the same or effecting adjustments. w 7 Another object of this invention is to so construct each punching or perforating unit that the die section and the punch section are mountlower rails of the press frame and the centers of the die and punch maintained in accurate alinement during such adjustment and thereby facilitate the changefrom one location of the perforation in the work sheet to another location to suit different requirements.

Other objects of this invention relate to certain details of construction as will presently appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a perforating apparatus embodying one form of this invention and the adjacent parts of a press in which the same is mounted. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a plurality of punching devices, the top rail carrying the same, and

' parts associated therewith.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of two punching units, similar to those shown at the right end of the apparatus shown mm. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4.

Fig. 3, and showing the parts in the position I unit.

ed on the lower and upper supporting rails or parts v sheets of the press in such manner that the to be perforated can be freely passed between them from the front to "the rear side of the press and yet permit the die and punch of each unit to cooperate properly for producing a perforation in the desired part of the work sheet.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for mounting the die and punch sections of each unit quickly and conveniently on any part of the lower and upper rails to suit the respective location where the work sheet is to be perforated.

A still further object of this invention is to provide simple and efficient means whereby the die and punch sections of each perforating unit may be adjusted lengthwise of the upper and Fig. 6 is a. top plan view of the punch section of one of the perforating units and the upper part of the upper rail of the press frame, said view being taken on line 6-6, Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line l-1, Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 8-8, Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation of the parts shown in F18. 5.

Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig. 5 but showing a modified form of this invention.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the construction shown in F18. 10.

Fig. 12 is another section similar toFigs. 5 and 10 showing another modification of this invention.

Fig. 13 is a shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a section similar to Figs. 5, 10 and 12 showing still another form of this invention.

top plan view of the construction Fig.15isatopplanviewoftheeonstniction shown in Fig. 14.

In the following description similar reference characters indicate like parts in the several mm of the drawings. 1 .g

Inasmuch as this invention may be employed -in connection with power presses of various constructions it is suillcient to illustrate only those elements of a press with which the present improvements are directly associated which elsments consist of a bedor base II which forms a lower part of the stationary main frame of the press and is provided with a longitudinal slot II. a vertically movable ram 22 which is guided on theupperpartoftheframe-andmaybereciprocated by any suitable means. and a pressing barllsecuredtothelmderaideoftheram. In general the improvements forming the subfoot of this invention include a holder detachably mountedonthebedorbaseofthefralne,andone ormorepunchingimitseachhavingadiesection -mounted on the lower part of the holder and a punch section mounted-on the upper part of the holder and adapted tobeactuatedby the pressing Wof the ram.

In its preferred construction the holder com-1 prises a lower horizontal rail II which rests on the upper side of the bed 2|. an upper horizontal rail 2| arranged above the lower rail and spaced therefrom by a horisontal gap II, and upright posts or bars}! connected at their respective upper and lower ends with the corresponding ends of the and lower rails.

'Each of the postsof the holder may be detachably connected at its lower' and pper ends with the corresponding ends ofthe lower and respective tiltingthesametherequiredextentanditmay alsobemovedlengthwiseinthisgrooveforbringingthediemmmtedthereonintothedesiredposition relative to the companion section of the plmching been moved intothe desired positionon the lower railoftheholderthisshoemaybeheldrigidly against 'dimlacement by a clamping block 48 pro- Flgs.'l. 3 and4. thesame'comprises anuppervertical cylindrical body 42 which contains a die side part thereof upper rails by any suitable means but preferably by screws 28 and'dowels II, as shown in M. 3.

holder may also be detachabLv connected with of the frame by various means. those 1, 2, Sand 4 being preferred and consisting of upright retaining 'bars ll having theirupperendssecuredbyscrewstl to theouter sidesof the'posts 2 'I while the lower ends of the sameare arrangedintheslotil ofthebedand secured therein by clamping screws 82. The form of holder and the means for inmmting the same on the frame permits readily attaching the holder and theparts carried thereby on the press frame and- --deta ched therefrom for convenience in arranging thepunching units thereon. The construction of the die section of each ptmching'imit and the-means for mounting the aameon the lower rail of the holder in accordance with this invention as shown in Figs. 1- -11 is as follows:v a

' Thenumeral It represents a horizontal adlusting groove formed lengthwise in the upper side of the lowerrail 24 and having a flat bottom SI and opposite front and rear longitudinal sides II, 3. which are inclined and converge upwardly so that this groove is of substantially fan tall or undercut form, as best shown m Fig. 4. Within.

this groove is arranged a shoe I! which is part of the respective die section and which i provided with a flat underside ll resting on the bottom 84 of the adjusting groove 33, a tapering rear end forming a rearwardly inclined face it engafln with the inclined rear side I. of the adjusting groove, a forwardly tapering lower part forming a lower inclined front face 40, and an .upper front recess forming a forwardly inclined front face II on the shoe. This shoe may be readily introduced into the adjusting groove 38 and also removed from the top of the groove by n ment the thread openingllextendingfromtheuppercutting edgeofthediedownwardlyandlaterallytoa andastemliarrangedatthe lowerendofthebodyllandseatedinanopening orrecess'll inthetopoftheshoel'l. Thelower part of the die opening ll forms a chute for the discharge of slugs which are formed by the ma- 'terlal removed from the workpiece when punchingaholeinthesame.

Theconstmctionofthepunchsectionofeach Perforating unit and the manner of mounting the same in accordance with that form of the inventionshowninml ltandiisasfollows:

The upper rail fl preferably comprises two horizontal bars I! which are-spaced apart laterally to form ,a longitudinal slot ll between them. The numeral represents a carrier which supports the punch cooperating with the die 42 and the parts associated with the punch. This carrier comprises anupper cross bar II which rests with lts opposite ends on the bars I! of theupperrailandextendsacrosstheslotbetween the two vertical side bars I extending downwardly from the upper cross bar along the inner side of the longitudinal bars I! and a lower cross bar I? connecting the lower endsofthesidebarslt. Thispunchcarrieris capable of being adjusted lengthwise of the upper rail II and secured in its adjusted position by means consisting preferably of two clamping bolts ll passingthroughthefront and rearends of the upper cross bar II and having the heads II at their upper ends bearing against the upper side of this bar while theacrew nuts II at their lower endsare arranged in T-shaped grooves ll arranged lengthwise in the upper sideof the bars l2 forming the upper rail of the holder. In their-central parts the upper and lower bars of the punch carrier are provided with guide openings '2, I which are vertically in line.

Centrally within the punch carrier is arranged a punch It which is provided at its lower end with a bit II which cooperates with the openinginthedieandhasitsupperendscrewthreaded externally. The lower part of the punch slides vertically in a lower stripper and guide sleeve 00 and the latter slides vertically in the 7 lower guide opening I of the punch carrier. At

its upper end the punch is wide sleeve '1 which is adjustable vertically on I Provided with an upper threaded internally and the punch by engag on the upper end of the unit. Aftertheshoehas asmeae have a lower lifting bar 68 connected with the upper end of the lower punch guide sleeve 68, an upper lifting bar 69 which slides on the upper part of the punch, stripper springs Ill interposed under an initial compression between saidv lower and upper lifting'bars, and tying means which limit the separation of said lifting bars under the expansion action of said stripper springs and which preferably consist of tie rods or bolts 1| connected by screw joints at their lower end with the lower lifting bar 68 and are provided with upper stop heads 12 adapted to be engaged by the upper side of the upper lifting bar 69. The allover length of the punch may be adjusted by screwing the upper guide sleeve 61 up or down on the punch and after such adjustment this sleeve and the punch may be retained in this relative position by means of a clamping screw nut 13 arranged on the upper threaded part of the punch between the upper lifting bar l9 and the upper guide sleeve 61. The lifting bars, stripper springs and tie rods are maintained in .a plane parallel with the bars of the punch carrier by means of a pilot or retaining pin H projecting downwardly from the lower lifting bar 68 andslidlng'in a guide opening 15 in the lower carrier bar 51, as shown in Fig. 4. The punch and the stripper mechanism are yieldingly held in their uppermost or retracted position by resilient lifting means consisting preferably of a helical lifting spring 16 interposed between the lower carrierbar 51 and the lower lifting bar 68 and surrounding the pilot pin 14.

Preparatory to operating the punching apparatus the upper and lower sections of the several punching units are moved lengthwise on the rails of the holder to the positions for forming holes in the predetermined locations on the workpiece and then the companion sections of each unit rises and relaxes its pressure on the punch, the latter rises with the ram but the stripper sleeve 86 remains at rest in its lowermost position during the initial part of'this upward movement of the ram, thereby causing the workpiece to be stripped from the punch until the stripper springs have reached the limit of their expansion. Thereafter the stripper mechanism and the punch are raised by the lifting spring 16 to form a gap between the die and punch of the respective punching unit, thereby permitting shifting of the workpiece into another position or its replacement by another workpiece.

I The compression of the stripper springs may be varied to suit the requirements of the work in hand and this may be eflected by varying the number of stripper springs which are employed,

or by selecting springs of different strength, or

are secured in place so that the punch of each unit is axially in line withithe die of the respective unit.- l

. When the ram of the press is elevated the stripper springs are expanded until the upper lifting bar engages the upper heads of the tie rods whereby the punch is raised so that its bit is raised fiush or/substantially so, with the lower end of the guide sleeve 66 and the punch-together with the stripper mechanism is raised by the lifting spring 16 so as .to form a gap between the die and punch of each perforating unit. The workpiece I1 is now placed upon the dies of the several units and the ram descends and by engagement with the adjusting sleeve 61- moves the punch and associated parts of each perforating unit downwardly. During the initial part of the downward movement of these parts the same move in unison until the stripper guide sleeve 66 engages with the top of the workpiece but the final part of the downward movement by varying thecompression of the stripper springs already inuse, which last mentioned result may be obtained by turning thetie rods or bolts" H in one direction or another by a wrench engaging with the upper ends of the tie rods. The latter are accessible for this purpose by means of wrench passages or openings 18 formed in theupper lifting bar 89 in line with the ytierods or bolts 1 l For the purpose, of readily locating the workpiece in the desired position relative to the die and punch of each unit preparatory to perforating the workpiece, locating means are provided such, for example, as the gage 1 9 arranged in rear of the holder in position to be engaged by the front edge of the workpiece. A gage of this character may be mounted on any part of the holder 'to suit the requirements of the particular work piece in hand. The means for accomplishing this purpose, shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, consist in forminglongitudinal grooves or slots 80, 8 I, I2, on-the front and rear sides respectively of the upper and lower rails of the holder any of which are adapted to receive the nut 84 of a clamping bolt 85 for holding the respective gagein the required position on the holder. k

If desired the following wedge clamping means may be employed either alone or in addition to the clamping bolts 59 for securing the upper section of each punching unit in its lengthwise adjusted position on the upper rail of the holder.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the numeral ll represents clamping pins slidable horizontally and laterally in guideways formed in the upper partof the respective carrier and each provided at its outer end with a flat face which bears against of the punch is effected independently of the stripper guide sleeve and while the latter is at rest, thereby causing the bit of the punch to form a hole in the' workpiece and push the slug severed from the workpiece at this time downwardly into the opening of the die. During the final part of .the downward movement of the punch the compression of the stripper springs "c1 the lifting spring is increased.- As the ram the adjacent vertical inner side of the respective upper rail bar. Adjacent to each clampingpin 88 is arranged a vertical clamping screw 01 which engages with a threaded opening in the carrier and is accessible from the top or the latterso that the same may be turned by a suitable tool, such as a wrench or screw driver for raising and lowering this screw. At its lower end this clamping screw is provided with a conical taper ,88 which engages with a corresponding taper 88 at the inner end of the respective clamping pin 88. Upon loosening the' screws 81 the grip of the clamping pins 86 on the upper rail bars 52 is released and permits the respective carrier to be -moved lengthwise of this rail to the desired position and upon tightening these screws the clamping pins 86 will be pressed outwardly against the upperrail bars 52 and hold the carrier securely in place thereon.

For the purpose of facilitating the location of each upper punch section of the perforating unit sis? so 55 a till When the bit of the punch and the opening of the die are perfectly round the alining sleeve may heturnedonthedieintoanypositionandstill permit the same to be raised for coupling the die and punch guiding and stripping sleeve without disturbing the proper alinement between the die and punch. When the bit of the punch and the opening of the die are perfectly round no means need he provided for holding the punch and die against rotation relative to each other, as shown in Hg. 10. When, however, the opening of the die iiiv a vertical guide III in ranged in T-grooves and the bit of thepunch are-of non-circular form,asshown for example at llinl'ign'i and 8, for producing an oval perforationin the workpiece. then the'dle andthepunchguidingand 'strippersleevemustbecoupledsothattheaame arenotoniyalinedbutalsoheldintheeorrect circumferential position relative to each other. Thiaispreferahlymccomplishedbyakeyliarrangedontheinnerendofascrewsecuredtothe lower-part of the punch carrier and engaging witha vertical heyway or groove 04 formed on the periphery of the punch guiding and stripping sleeve ll,asshowninI'igs.4,5and 8,andaspline N formedlengthwiseon theboreofthealining sleeve and constantly sliding in' a longitudinal spline groove II on the periphery of the die and movable into and out of engagement with a longitudinal groove 01 on the periphery of the punch guiding and stripping tu When the perforating apparatus is in operation the alining sleeve II is lowered upon the die, as shown inl'igs. l, s and 4 in which position of the same the die and punch guiding and stripping sleeve are uncoupled. When, however. it is desired to move the die and punch sections of the respective unit for perforating holes in another part of the workpiecethe alining slceveisraised so thatitsspline II engages not only with the spline groove It on the die but also the "key groove is of the guiding and stripping sleeve. as shown in l'lga. 5 and 9, thereby coupling the die and punch sections of the respective unit so as to prevent axial disalinement of the die and punch while eiiecting horizontal adjustment of thesame in the apparatus.

Insteadofextendingthetopoithepunchcarrierabovethetop-oitheupperrailbamas shown in Fig. 4, the top I] of the carrier may beflushwiththetopoftheupperholderrailbars es, and upper parts of the front and rear ends of the carrier may be slidable in longitudinal rabbetslsintheadiacentpartsoftheupperrail bars,asshownin1"lgs.l4and 15. Inthisconstruction no clamping bolt on the carrier engaging with T-grooves in the upper rail bars are employed for securing the respectivepunch section on the upper rail of the holder and instead this fastening of the punch carrying section of the perforating unit is elected solely by clamping pinsllandclampingscrewall similartothe construction shown in l 'ig. 4, and the same description therefore applies to both.

If duired the central upper part of the punch carrier may be omitted so that the space between the vertical bars IQ of the punch carrier opens upwardly, as shown at I in Fig. 10. In this case the punch is not guided at its upper end and only the lower guiding and stripping sleeve It serves to guide the punch on the lower part of the punch carrier.

Instead of connecting the punch carrier with the upper parts of the upper rail bars, as shown in Figs. 1-11, 14 and 15, this carrier may be constructed in the form of a single bar Iii which extends across the undeiside of the slot Ii between the upper rail bars and is provided centrally with which the punch guiding and stripping sleeve It slides while the front and rear ends of this carrier bar are secured to the underside of the upper rail bars by bolts I passing through this bar and havingtheir heads arlll vformed lengthwise on the undcrsides of the upper rail bars.

When the punch and punch guide sleeve 00 are lowered position and coupled in line With each other by the alining sleeve 92 the space above the punch supporting carriage 55 should be free to permit of manipulating this carriage from the top for adjusting the same lengthwise of the assembly frame. In order to permit of doing this while the ram is raised to render the .punch carriage accessible from the top the punch section may be first lifted as a unit from the punching frame and the lifting spring 16 removed so that upon restoring this punching section to the frame the punch together with its guide sleeve and stripping mechanism will rest by gravity in its lowered position on the carriage and thus permit the companion die and punch when coupled by the sleeve 92 to be adjusted lengthwise on the punching frame while the ram is elevated.

Instead of removing the spring 18 for this purpose the same result may be accomplished by locking means whereby the punch and its guide tube 66 and stripper mechanism may be held in a depressed position while the ram is raised and the alining tube 92 embraces the die and punch guide sleeve. Any suitable locking means may be employed for this purpose, for example, a horizontally swinging latch I pivoted on the upper side of the carriage 55 and movable into engagement with a notch I06 in the side of a part of the punch as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, for holding the punch and the parts associated therewith in a lowered position and also movable out of engagement from said notch to restore the punch and its associated parts to their normal working condition.

To permit, the punching frame and the parts mounted thereon to be conveniently moved into and out of its operative position in a press without requiring the retaining bars 30 to be completely detached from the punching frame, each of these bars is provided with a vertical slot I01 for the reception of the respective fastening screw 3|, as shown in Fig. 3. Upon loosening the screws 3| and 32 the bars 30 can be raised out of the slot 2| in the press bed and above the bottom of the punching frame and thus permit the latter to he slid over a press bed without interference when setting up the apparatus for a job or changing from one press to another.

It will be noted that in all of the several forms of this invention each punching section is a complete organization by itself and that the same practically floats on the frame which supports it relative to the companion die section and on which the respective punch section is capable of being adjusted bodily lengthwise of the perforating apparatus to suit different requirements.

Moreover, no parts of the punch guiding means and stripping mechanism are subjected to any pressure while perforating a working piece inasmuch as only the punch is pressed downwardly on the workpiece by the ram, thereby permitting the use of lighter stripper springs and effecting a saving in power.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder adapted to be placed between the bed and read of a press and having lower and upper rails and posts connecting opposite ends of said rails, a perforating unit including a die section adjustable lengthwise on said lower rail and having a die and a punching section adjustable lengthwise on said upper rail and havarranged lengthwise on said front and rear sides of the rails, and a clamping bolt passing through said gage and having a head arranged in one or another of said T-grooves.

'2. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder adapted to be placed between the bed and ram of a press and provided with an upper rail and a lower rail having a longitudinal undercut groove the sides of whichincline and converge upwardly, and a punch unit comprising a punch section which is adjustable lengthwise on said upper rail and a lower die section which has a shoe adjustable lengthwise in said undercut groove, and means for securing said shoe in different parts of said groove includin an incline arranged on one end of said shoe and engaging with one of the inclined sides of said groove, a clamping block having an incline engaging with an incline arranged on the opposite end of said shoe and also provided with an incline engaging the opposite inclined side of said groove, and a clamping screw connecting said shoe and clamping block.

. 3. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder adapted to be placed between the bed and ram of a press and provided with an upper rail and a. lower rail having a mg a punch adapted to cooperate with said die,

a gage, and means for adjustably mounting saidgage lengthwise on the front and rear sides of said lower and upper rails, including T-grooves longitudinal undercut groove the sides of which incline and converge upwardly, and a punch unit comprising a punch section which is adjustable lengthwise on said upper rail and a lower die section which has a shoe adjustable lengthwise in said undercut groove, and means for securing said shoe in different parts of said groove including an incline arranged on one end of said shoe and engaging with one of the inclined side of said groove, a clamping block having an incline engaging with an incline arranged on the oppor site end of said shoe and also provided with an incline engaging the opposite inclined side of said groove, and a clamping screw connecting said shoe and clamping block, said shoe and clamping block being constructed ,to be insertable into and removable from said undercut groove through the top thereof.

4. Anapparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder adapted to be placed between the bed and ram of a press and having a lower rail and an upper rail provided with a longitudinal slot, and a perforating unit comprising a die section which is provided with a die and is adjustable lengthwise of said lower rail, a punch section having a carrier arranged in the slot of said upper rail, a punch mounted on said carrier andcooperating with said die, and means for adustmg said carrier lengthwise on said'upper rail including T-shaped grooves formed lengthwise in said upper ,rail, and clamping bolts passing through said carrier and having nuts arranged in said grooves. I

5. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder adapted to be placed between the bed and ram of a press and having a lower rail and an upper rail provided with a longitudinal slot, and a perforating unit comprising a die section which is provided with a die and is adjustable len'gthwise of said lower rail, a punch section having a carrier arranged in the slot of said upper rail, a punch mounted onv said carrier and cooperating with said die, and means for securing said carrier in various position lengthwise of said upper rail including clamping pinsguided on said carrier and engaging adjacent'sides 'of said upper rail, and clamping screwsmounted on said carrier and having tapering ends which engage correspondingly tapered ends on said clamping pins.

6. An apparatus for perforatin sheet material comprising a holder adapted to be placed between the bed and ram of a press and having a lower rail and an upper rail provided witha longitudinal slot, and a perforating unit including a lower die section mounted on said lower rail and provided with a die, and an upper punch section having a punch which cooperates with said die and a carrier upon which said punch is mounted and which includes vertical side bars arranged along the opposite sides of said slot, a cross bar which connects the lower ends of said bars and on which said punch is mounted, and laterally projecting ends arranged on said side bars and secured to said upper rail.

7. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder adapted to be placed between the bed and ram-of a press and having a lower rail and an upper rail provided with a longitudinal slot, and a perforating unit including a lower die section mounted on said lower rail and provided with a die, and an upper punch section having a. punch which cooperates with said die and a carrier upon which said punch is mounted and which includes vertical side bars arranged along the opposite sides of said slot, a cross bar which connects the lower ends of said bars and on which said punch is mounted, and an upper cross bar which is connected with the upper ends of said side bars and upon the central part of which said punch is mounted and the ends of which project laterally and are secured to said upper raiL,

8. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder adapted to be placed between the bed and ram of a press and having a lower rail and an upper rail provided with alongitudinal slot, and a perforating unit including a lower die section mounted on said lower rail and provided with a die, and an upper punch section having a punch which cooperates with said die and which is arranged within the slot 01' said upper rail, a carrier upon which said punch 15 mounted and which is secured to the adjacent parts of said upper rail, and resilient means for raising said. punch and stripping the workpiece therefrom.

9. An apparatus for perforating sheet mater'al comprising a holder adapted to be placed betw n the bed and ram of a press and having a lower rail and an upper rail provided with a longitudinal slot, and a perforating unit including a lower die section mounted on said lower rail and provided with a die, and an upper punch section having a punch which cooperates with said die, a carrier bar extending across the underside of said slot and connected at its opposite ends with the underside of said upper rail, and means for guiding said punch on the central part of said carrier bar.

10. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder adaptedto be placed between the bed and ram of a press and having a lower rail and an upper rail which includes two bars spaced apart to form a longitudinal slot between and provided with rabbets on their opposite upper parts, a punch arranged in said slot and cooperating with said die, and a carrier which is arranged within said slot and supports said punch and which has laterally projecting ends secured in said rabbets to said upper rail.

11. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder having lower and upper longitudinal rails, a perforating unit includin a die section having a shoe which is adjustable lengthwise of said lower rail and a die mounted on said shoe, and an upper punch section having a punch which cooperates with said die, a guiding sleeve in which said punch is guided, a carrier which is adjustable lengthwise of said upper rail and in which said sleeve slides vertically, and alining means which connect said punch and sleeve and hold the punch and die in axial alinement while the same are adjusted in unison lengthwise 'of said rails.

12. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder having lower and upper longitudinal rails, a perforating un t including a die section having a shoe which is adjustable lengthwise of saidlower rail and a die mounted on said shoe, and an upper punch section having a punch which cooperates with said die, a guiding sleeve in which said punch is guided, a carrier which is adjustable lengthwise of said upper rail and in which said sleeve slides vertically, and an alining sleeve which is slidable in one direction so as to fit only around said die and also slidable in another direction so as to flt around both said die and guiding sleeve for holding the die and punch in axial alinement while being adjusted in unison lengthwise of said rails.

13. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder having lower and upper longitudinal rails, a perforating unit including a die section having a shoe which is adjustable lengthwise of said lower rail and a die mounted on said shoe, and an upper'punch section having a punch which'cooperates with said die, a guiding sleeve in which said punch is guided, a carrier which is adjustable lengthwise of said upper rail and in which said sleeve slides vertically, an alining sleeve which is slidable in one direction so as to fit only around said die and also slidable in another direction so as to fit around both said die and guiding sleeve for holding the die and punch in axial alinement while being adjusted in unison lengthwise of said rails, means for permittin said punch to slide in said guiding sleeve but preventing turning of the same therein, and means for permitting said alining sleeve to slide on said die and guiding sleeve but preventing the same from turning relative thereto.

14. An apparatus for perforating sheet material comprising a holder having lower and upper longitudinal rails, a perforating unit including a die section having a shoe which is adjustable lengthwise of said lower'rail and a die mounted on said shoe, and an upper punch section having a punch which cooperates with said die, a guiding sleeve in which said punch is guided, a carrier which is adjustable lengthwise of said upper rail and in which said sleeve slides vertically, an alining sleeve which is slidable in one direction so as to fit only around said die and also slidable in another direction so as to fit around both said die and guiding sleeve for holding the die and punch intaxial alinement while being adjusted in unison lengthwise of said rails, means for permitting said punch to slide in said guiding sleeve but preventing turning of the same therein, and means for permitting said alining sleeve to slide on said .die and guiding sleeve but preventing the same from turning relative thereto, including a longitudinal key groove formed on said guiding sleeve, a longitudinal spline groove formed on said die, a key 'arranged on said guiding sleeve and engaging with said key groove, and a spline arranged on said alining sleeve and engaging constantly with said spline groove on the die and movable into and out of engagement with the key groove on the guiding sleeve.

15. A perforating apparatus adapted to be placed as a complete operative unit between the bed and ram of a press and capable of producing a plurality of perforations in differently spaced relation without connection of any of the elements of the perforating apparatus with any part of the press which apparatus comprises a frame independent of and removable into and out of the space between the bed and the ram of the press and having a lower rail and an upper rail separated by a gap extending from the front to the rear side of the frame, a plurality of die sections which are mounted on said lower rail and capable of individual adjustment lengthwise of the same and each die section including a shoe adjustable lengthwise of said lower rail and a die mounted on said shoe; and a plurality of punch sections capable of individual adjustment on said upper rail and each punch section including a carriage which is adjustable lengthwise on said upper rail, a punch mounted on each of said carriages and adapted to be shifted by said ram for cooperation with the die of one of said die sections, and stripper means mounted on each of said carriages and operatively associated with the punch thereon to remove the workpiece therefrom after punching the respective hole in the workpiece.

16. A perforating apparatus adapted to be placed as a complete operative unit between the bed and ram of a press and capable of producing a plurality of perforations in differently spaced relation without connection of any of the elements of the perforating apparatus with any part of the press which apparatus comprises a frame independent of and removable into and out of the space between the bed and the ram of the press and having a lower rail and an upper rail separated by a gap extending from the front to the rear side of the frame, a plurality of die sections which are mounted on said lower rail and capable of individual adjustment lengthwise of the same and each die section including a shoe adjustable lengthwise of said lower rail and a die mounted on said shoe; a plurality of punch sections capable of individual adjustment on said upper rail and each punch section including a carriage which is adjustable lengthwise on said upper rail, a punch mounted on each of said carriages and adapted to be shifted by said ram for cooperation with the die sections, and stripper means mounted on each of said carriages and operatively associated with the punch thereon to remove the workpiece therefrom after punching the respective hole in the workpiece, and means for fastening each of the carriages to said upper rail which are accessible from the top of the upper railand carriage.

1'7. A perforating apparatus adapted to be placed as a complete operative unit between the bed and ram of a press and capable of producing a plurality of perforations in difierently spaced relation without connection of any of the elements of, the perforating apparatus with any part of the press which apparatus comprises a frame independent of and removable into and out of the space between the bed and the ram of the press and having a lower rail and an upper rail separated by a gap extending from the front to the rear side of the frame, a plurality of' die sections which. are mounted on said lower rail and capable of individual adjustment lengthwise of the same and each die section including a shoe adjustable lengthwise of said lower rail and a die mounted on said shoe; a plurality of punch sections capable of individual adjustment on said upper rail and each punch section including a carriage which is adjustable lengthwise on said upper rail, a punch mounted on each or said carriages and adapted to be depressed by said ram for cooperation with the die of one of said die sections, and stripper means mounted on each of said carriages and operatively associated with the punch thereon to remove the workpiece therefrom after punching the respective hole in the workpiece, and means for attaching stopgages to said frame on its front and rear sides and also above and below the punching level between the die sections and the punch sections.

18. A perforating apparatus comprising a I frame, a die section mounted on the lower part of said frame and including a die, and a punch section including a punch cooperating with said die, a carriage mounted on said frame and upon which said punch is guided, resilient stripper means operating to remove the workpiece from the punch, and locking means for holding the punch in its lowered position relative to the die.

19. A perforating apparatus comprising a frame, a die section mounted on the lower part of said frame and including a die, and a punch section including a punch cooperating with said die, a carriage mounted on said frame and upon which said punch is guided, resilient stripper means operating to remove the workpiece from the punch, and locking means for holding the punch in its lowered position relative to the die of one of said die including a latch pivoted on said carriage and movable into and out of engagement with a notch in said punch.

' GEORGE F. WALES. 

